Centerport residents slam cell tower plan
Suffolk’s Vanderbilt Museum will reopen its planetarium March 15. The planetarium will feature new shows produced by planetariums as far away as Great Britain and China, as well as high-definition video from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and other satellites. Credit: Handout
Angry residents gave Vanderbilt Museum trustees an earful over plans to install a 140-foot cell tower on the grounds to increase revenue.
About 60 residents attended an informational meeting at the Centerport museum Wednesday mostly to voice opposition to the plan over health concerns. They said the meeting was poorly publicized and complained that there was no audio system, presentation or handouts of artist renderings.
"I wanted to hear from the people and not have them listen to what I had to say," said Noel Gish, president of the museum's board of trustees.
For years, the museum has sought ways to generate revenue. In 2009, county Legis. Jon Cooper [D-Lloyd Harbor] sponsored a successful bill to place a cell tower on the property.
Wednesday, Gish said the tower was expected to generate about $95,000 a year. The tower would house up to five internal antennas with equipment on top for police, fire and emergency transmissions. The monopole would be on a knoll in a secondary parking lot on the 43-acre property, east of Little Neck Road. If the deal goes through, Suffolk Wireless would manage the tower.
"I'm not really convinced that all you're going to do is put up five small internal antennas," Joe Albano said. "This starts a precedence."
Huntington Town Board member Mark Cuthbertson said during a brief stop at the meeting that the board also opposes the tower.
But not everyone thinks the tower is a bad idea. Jack Geffken, a commissioner with the Centerport Fire Department and a physician, said putting the tower on museum grounds would enhance communication abilities in an emergency and also help save the museum.
Caroline Mulè, an eight-year resident, said she was tired of all the negativity. "OK, you don't want this, but then where is your revenue-generating solution?" she asked.
Gish, the target of much of the anger, said he may hold another meeting with more materials.
"But the final decision about the cell tower will be made by the Suffolk County Legislature," Gish said.
SALT tax cap effect on LI ... Vogel does Disney on a 'Minnie' budget ... What's up on LI ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
SALT tax cap effect on LI ... Vogel does Disney on a 'Minnie' budget ... What's up on LI ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
